[Kristen]

What's the theory behind avoiding Direct Sunlight when Chitting Potatoes?

Mine are on the conservatory table, and I wonder if I should put them under the table instead

[JayG]

Not aware there is a theory as such, it's just that spuds chit more slowly and predictably in a cool place that's in daylight, which for me means the windowsill of a north-facing bedroom which has only minimal heating.

I would equate more sun with higher (and more fluctuating) temperatures; in my house such windowsills have chilli and pepper seedlings on them at the moment!

If your spuds are producing short, sturdy, purple/green chits and aren't shrinking excessively quickly then I'm sure they're doing just fine where they are.

[Lottie Mary]

I have my potatoes on the conservatory table as well, because it's the only 'light' place in the house that isn't centrally heated.

Some of my spuds (the Orla variety in particular) already started rigourously chitting in the bag - so I've gently rubbed off the longest chits because some of them were upwards of 2 inches long!  I hope this was the right thing to do??!

[JayG]

I've gently rubbed off the longest chits because some of them were upwards of 2 inches long!  I hope this was the right thing to do??!

Yes!

[Lottie Mary]

I've gently rubbed off the longest chits because some of them were upwards of 2 inches long!  I hope this was the right thing to do??!

Yes!

Phew! :happy:

[Kristen]

If your spuds are producing short, sturdy, purple/green chits and aren't shrinking excessively quickly then I'm sure they're doing just fine where they are.

Confirms my thought, thanks

Unheated Conservatory has hit 20C on a couple of sunny days ... but the chits look "perfect", and the shrivelling "acceptable" to "not too much".  Sorry for all the technical terms

I'll carry on as I am thanks

[Boothy]

I'm doing mine in the garage (unheated) which has an east facing window - just wondering if it could be too cold in there?

[Kristen]

So long as it is frost free it should be fine.

If the chits are white, or long (more than 0.5cm) then they are probably not getting enough light.

If you are uncertain then (given that it is only a couple of weeks until planting ) then somewhere that is warmer but has a lot more light would be my choice. Mine are in the (unheated) conservatory - so getting plenty of light, and on sunny days up to 20C